Submitted by the Lacey South Sound Chamber and Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater VCB
The Annual South Sound BBQ Festival was a great success! Now in its sixth year, the event drew more than 14,000 people over the eight-hour festival. Families filled Huntamer Park to enjoy delicious food, live entertainment, and kid’s activities. Pro pitmasters from 10 local BBQ establishments had lines all day for their mouth-watering treats. The event also showcased a variety of vendors and Backyard Joe’s competitors who stayed up into the late hours of Friday night, tending to their barbecue pits and smokers to compete in Saturday’s festivities.
Cooks put on their game face as the results of the BBQ competitions were announced by Jerry Farmer from ROXY Radio.
The 2016 South Sound BBQ Winners:
- Backyard Joe’s BBQ Cook-Off competition: Local BBQ aficionados compete for awards and prizes in five categories: beef brisket, chicken thighs, pork ribs, seafood and an open category.
- Winner: The grand champion of this year’s cook-off was four-year returner Alan Gruse! Gruse has been a strong competitor in the Backyard Joe’s Cook-Off and this year his beef brisket, baby back ribs and seafood blew away the judges. Congratulations Alan Gruse for taking home the Overall Barbecue Cook-Off award.
- Reserved Champion (2nd Place Overall): Brian Pillsbury
- Third Place Champion Overall: Noel Ostrander
- People’s Choice Award :The pros compete for the best BBQ item.
The wing eating contest is a highlight of the South Sound BBQ Festival. Photo credit: Dan Nicholson - Winner: This year’s winner was Tailgate BBQ. Owner and pit master, Chris Lester had rave reviews about his delicious pulled pork, let “R” rip beans and exquisite brisket.
- Golden Spatula Award: Media from around the region tasted the pro’s best item and selected the winner based on taste. The award was presented by the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau.
- Winner: This year’s winner was Humdinger BBQ. Tom Kirk, owner and pit master, took home the award in a landslide for his trip tip and beans.
As we recognize the cooks for their amazing talents, we must also recognize the sponsors (visit southsoundbbqfestival.com to see a full list of sponsors), volunteers and 2016 South Sound BBQ Festival planning committee. The event was a success because the everyone came together to put on a fun-filled, barbecue extraordinaire festival. The Lacey South Sound Chamber created this fundraising event in hopes to help promote the best barbecue the South Sound has to offer, and each year the festival has surpassed the Chamber’s expectations.
